Sample Outline - See Building a TEMS Team Article
TEMS AGREEMENT BETWEEN TEMS Unit Name AND Agency Name
This agreement is made between TEMS Unit Name , a Tactical Emergency Medicine Services provider unit, and the Agency Name.
RECITALS:
- TEMS Unit Name and his (her) associates who include (choose appropriate title: physicians, paramedics, EMT's, nurses, and other health professionals) desire to provide Tactical Emergency Medicine Support (TEMS) to the Agency Name.
- Both parties desire to contract with each other to form a Tactical Emergency Medicine Team to be designated the TEMS Unit Name.
- The TEMS Unit Name desires to provide tactical emergency services for the Agency Name. They will provide (choose: basic/intermediate/advanced) life support and emergency medical care in the field for any team training or significant incident which involves unusual hazards to law enforcement officers. An application will be submitted to the Illinois Department of Public Health by the TEMS Unit Name to become a non-transport (choose: basic/intermediate/advanced) life support service provider.
1.0 DEFINITIONS
The following terms will have the following meanings for this agreement:
1.1 "Training" and "call-outs" refers to tactical unit training or a tactical police deployment.
1.2 "Mission" shall mean training and call-outs, rescue operations or any other significant incident which involves unusual hazards to law enforcement officers.
2.0 TEMS DUTIES
TEMS Unit Name will provide medics initially including (insert medic's names here). TEMS Unit Name will provide tactical emergency medicine support as set forth below:
2.1 BEFORE a Mission, TEMS members will:
a) attend training sessions at which they will provide training in tactical emergency medicine to the Agency Name. Additionally TEMS members will tactically train with the members of the Agency Name, to enhance teamwork and mutual understanding of roles.
b) acquire and maintain important history, immunization status and current health status on each team member. The confidentiality of this information is ensured by the medical officer members of
TEMS Unit Name.
c) monitor training and calloutss to detect and prevent injuries and illnesses to heat or cold extremes, food poisoning, environmental injuries, etc.
d) prepare a medical tactical pre-plan to aid the Agency Name Unit Commander in mission planning when feasible.
e) research any pertinent medical issues relating to training and callouts.
f) be available for any general medical support needed for the team members (team physicians).
g) provide instruction for the unit in basic first aid including practicing "officer down" scenarios, rescue, extrication, hazardous material drills, and training in the medical aspects of other hazardous missions.
h) be available to serve as resource to contact for any medical concerns that impact the Agency Name.
2.2 DURING a Mission, TEMS will provide:
a) On-site Medical Care. Provide on-site medical care that results in the immediate availability of first aid, advanced airway management, and prompt treatment of shock, traumatic injury and medical illness. Medical and operational documentation will be provided after each training and call-out session. Preparedness for emergency decontamination will be arranged, in case of exposure to toxic substances (clandestine drug lab exposure, or WMD/NBC terrorist incident).
b) Liaison. Serve as a liaison to local Emergency Medical System (EMS) officials, local hospitals, officials for Public Safety Agencies, and other personnel for the Unit Commander and members of the Agency Name.
c) Remote Assessment. Provide remote medical condition assessment of officers or victims injured in exposed positions.
d) Indirect Medical Care. Remain available for "medicine across the barricade" as needed. The need for such indirect medical care may arise in several situations including the need to provide
medical care instructions to hostages or bystanders via telephone or radio if they are unable to receive direct medical care.
e) Immediate Medical Support. Be able to provide the psychological benefit of immediate medical support for members of the Agency Name.
f) Interface With EMS Providers. Interface with existing advanced life support (ALS) EMS providers and help obtain tactically secure and timely transportation for the injured or ill, via improved
communications with ground and/or air medical EMS Transport Agencies. TEMS Unit Name will be a non-transport agency and will rely upon the existing EMS system for transportation of
patients.
g) Patient Advocate. Service as the patient advocate for members of the Agency Name who are treated by other medical providers and accompany injured members to the hospital, thus helping
to provide integration and improved communication between officers and the local health care delivery system.
h) Medical Aid To Non-law Enforcement Personnel. Provide humanitarian, stabilizing medical aid to non-law enforcement personnel who are in need of critical medical intervention. The existing EMS system will also interface, treat and transport any such patients as soon as possible.
2.3 AFTER a Mission, TEMS members will provide:
a) The Incident Review. Be present at the debriefing session, and provide an analysis of the mission from the TEMS member's perspective, providing suggestions for improvement regarding
the event to the Agency Name.
b) Review Of Medical Records. Review all medical treatment or other records relevant to operational or training missions in which they participate. Each EMS area has specific IDPH required paperwork to complete if medical care was provided.
c) Data Collection Analysis. Collection and analysis of data with support from the Casualty Care Research Center in Washington, D.C. This agency will analyze the Agency Name training and
call-out medical records and provide feedback and comparison with national data.
d) Recommendations. Recommendations on future medical training and procedures to the Agency Name. This might include such broad areas as gear recommendations, environmental, health and safety (EH&S) issues, and other projects at the discretion of the tactical commander.
2.4 Training and Qualifications. TEMS Team members will:
a) Be trained to provide as a team emergency medical services for
law enforcement personnel including those on the TEMS Unit
Name.
b) Maintain current certifications of licensure, as well as ongoing
continuing medical education requirements. Advanced courses
in TEMS are encouraged.
c) Be familiar with and be able to effectively coordinate with the
entire emergency medical system from the area of operation to
the receiving medical facilities. The EMS Resource hospital will
be (Resource Hospital Name).
d) Work with the Agency Name on a regular basis and be trained
to understand mission objectives, tactics used, weapons, special
devices likely to be employed, and communications policies and
procedures. In order to function effectively in support of the
Agency Name, TEMS Unit Name must have a working
knowledge of the Agency Name including its tools and tactics.
e) OPTIONAL: The TEMS officers will undergo a forty hour
mandatory firearms training course and will be deputized by the
Agency Name. They may also later complete the STARR
NEMRT program to be upgraded to Reserve Officer status.
f) (Insert TEMS Commander's name here) will be designated to
Commander of the TEMS Unit Name and will coordinate with
the Agency Name Commander to select and screen any TEMS
member.
2.5 Equipment and Supplies. Tactical medical supplies and the clothing
and tactical gear of the TEMS Unit Name will be provided by the
Agency Name . The clothing and tactical gear of the TEMS Unit
Name will duplicate the clothing and gear of the Tactical Team.
2.6 Malpractice Insurance and Civil Liability Protection. The (choose: city/
county/municipality/agency) will indemnify the TEMS Unit Name for
all medical and civil acts it performs as an agent of the Agency Name
(with the exception of criminal intentional harm). Should a medical/
civil lawsuit arise, the Agency Name will assume all responsibility for
legal representation, litigation and possibly settlement of such claims
3.0 AGENCY DUTIES
3.1 Liability. TEMS members will be fully covered under Agency Name
insurance programs. TEMS members, however, specifically waive
the right to obtain financial settlements for any injuries incurred in
the line of duty including death, disability or dismemberment. The
Agency Name will provide medical care for injured TEMS members
under the Workers Compensation Act but will not reimburse any
lost wages that may be incurred in the performance of TEMS medical
duties. Note: the specific liability, as well as malpractice issues will
be individualized for each department in a mutually acceptable
method. This is an important area to clarify and decide upon
beforehand.
3.2 Monetary Support. The Agency Name (or its designated municipal
government) will provide (choose: specific amount) dollars annually
to the TEMS Unit Name in order to allow purchased of specific
TEMS or personal protective gear or equipment, and for training of
TEMS officers.
4.0 TERM AND TERMINATION
4.1 Term. The promises and obligations herein contained shall
commence as of the date of signature of this agreement for a term
of one year and shall be automatically renewed for one year periods
thereafter unless either party gives the other party written notice of
intent not to renew this agreement at least ninety days prior to the
expiration of the term.
4.2 Termination. Written agreement by both parties to terminate this
agreement. In the event either party to this agreement shall, with or
without cause at any time, give the other party at least thirty days
advanced written notice of termination, the agreement shall terminate
on the future date specified in such notice.
5.0 MISCELLANEOUS
5.1 This agreement, excluding addendums, constitutes the entire
agreement between the parties and contains all of the terms and
conditions between the parties with respect to the subject matter
hereunder. The TEMS Team and the Agency Name shall be entitled
to no benefits or service other than those specified herein. This
agreement supersedes any and all other agreements either written or
oral between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.
5.2 This agreement shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with
the laws of Illinois. It may only be amended, modified or terminated by
an instrument signed by the parties involved. This agreement shall
ensure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties, their
successors, legal representatives and assigns, and neither this
agreement nor any right or interest of the TEMS Team or the Agency
Name arising herein shall be voluntarily or involuntarily sold, transferred
or signed without written consent with the other party, and any attempt
will result in that assignment being void.
5.3 If notice is required herein, it shall be effective when delivered in person
or when sent by United States Certified Mail to: TEMS Team: (fill in
TEMS Commander's name/address) and an Agency Name
authorized representative.
IN WITNESS THEREOF, the parties have hereto executed of this
agreement and multiple originals as of the last date written below.
_________________________ _________________________
TEMS Unit Name Agency Name
(TEMS Commander's Name) Authorized Agency Representative
(TEMS Commander's Address)
